The Experience

Rustling leaves and birdsong: it’s as bucolic as can be. Come for the peace, the famously delicious ham and, in November, the mushrooms. This gentle complex of stone cottages seems as much part of the natural scenery of this secret valley as the cork trees that surround it. Each has its own terrace, each is finished to exacting standards by Dutch owners. Peter, a keen walker who once strode from Amsterdam to Santiago de Compostela, has written a local guide; he and Monica are ever ready for a walk and a chat. The larger houses have underfloor heating, rafters and log fires, and steep stairs to upper sleeping areas, and each dwelling is beautifully modern: tiles from Seville, woven rugs, painted ironwork beds, warm colours. You are welcomed with a bottle of wine. There’s a communal area with books, guides and a guest kitchen, and the gardens are grassy and beautifully kept. It’s heaven for families: donkey rides and a popular pool, trees to climb and restaurants you can walk to (in cobbled Alájar). Portugal is over the border… but you may not wish to venture far.

Reviews

We had a wonderful week at Molino Rio Alajar. There was plenty to do on site for three boys. The cottage (El conejo) was clean and well equipped and we particularly liked the log fire in the evenings. Details of local walks were available, clearly explained and way-marked and were a great way of exploring the local area and trying out several delicious local restaurants. Peter Jan and Monika could not have been more friendly and relaxed about everything. A real holiday.

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Joanna

What a beautiful spot up in the mountains. We stayed in La Tortuga
with our 18 month old and it was so relaxing and peaceful. We were encouraged to pick tomatoes, peppers, figs and herbs from the garden whenever we needed them. The pool is a gorgeous spot but then everything at Molino Rio Alajar is beautiful. We would love to go there again.

The neighbourhood

Local points of interest from Peter Jan Mulder

Reina de los Ángeles 8 Sep: One of the most traditional pilgrim celebrations on the Arias Montano Rock. This magical spot, where the well-known humanist and chaplain of Felipe II retired back in the 15th century, is attended by a mass meeting of pilgrims.

Organised walks with clear directions and maps - choose from a variety of routes highlighting the best scenery the local area has to offer. Bird watching tours available with a local English speaking guide - Donana nature reserve is a short drive away.

Donkey rides for adults and children right from your cottage doorstep so you can explore the tracks connecting the local villages that date back to Roman times.

Great place for foodies - this region is famous for its Iberican ham, goats cheeses, chestnuts, mushrooms, honey and a wide variety of local fruit in season. We will recommend the best places to sample these in local restaurants.

Host of places of interest - Grutas de Maravillas ( a top tourist destination in Spain, Mesquite in Almonaster - one of the oldest mosques in Europe, La Pena de Arias Montano - a place of local pilgrimage with spectacular views south - to name just a few.

We offer a Gourmet Walking Week in the Sierra de Huelva - A week of the best the Sierra has to offer: walks through beautiful scenery, sampling some of the best local food and making some of the local delicacies yourself. See website for details.